In many states, people who have been forced to register as sex offenders after being convicted of a sex crime may not participate in Halloween. They are not allowed to trick-or-treat with children or grandchildren, and they may not hand out candy. In fact, many states require sex offenders to turn off outside lights, put up a sign stating "No candy or treats at this residence," and remain inside their home for the duration of the trick-or-treating hours. Essentially, they are placed on house arrest for the night.

However, many Pennsylvania sex offenders and advocacy groups are questioning the fairness and effectiveness of these strict regulations. People who have been convicted of sex crimes are already forced to implement major changes to their life, such as where they live and work, and these additional requirements seem excessive, opponents say.

In addition, Pennsylvania's Megan's Law requires registration as a sex offender as a punishment for many sex crimes of many different severities. This means that someone who has been convicted of a relatively minor child pornography crime is treated the same as someone who has been convicted of rape or sexual assault, for example.

Most importantly, the Halloween requirements do little to actually protect children. The people who pose the most the most danger to children are friends, family members and acquaintances, not strangers on the trick-or-treating route. The way for parents to protect their children, advocates say, is to supervise them as they go door-to-door, and to keep an eye on them at Halloween parties.

Source: Southeast Missourian, "Halloween restrictions on sex offenders do little to protect children, two groups say," Patrick T. Sullivan, Oct. 31, 2011